The Miss Supranational has banned Russia from the pageant. Image via Pixabay.
Miss Supranational: Russia banned from entering amid Ukraine invasion
The Miss Supranational organisation has banned Russia from participating in the pageant, to be held in Poland later this year.
The Miss Supranational has banned Russia from the pageant. Image via Pixabay.
The Miss Supranational Organisation banned Russia from entering the 2022 pageant which is set to take place in Poland later this year, after the country launched a devastating attack on Ukraine last week.
RUSSIA BANNED FROM MISS SUPRANATIONAL 2022
The Miss Supranational organisation has officially banned Russia from competing in the pageant this year. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organisation says that they cannot condone the actions of the country.
“We will not accept a contestant from Russia as we cannot condone the actions of the Kremlin,” said an official statement by the Miss Supranational Organisation President and CEO, Gerhard Parzutka von Lipinski.
“Ukraine has been a very special part of the Supra Family since the beginning of our competition in 2009 when Oksana Moria won the very first title in Poland. The European Union, where many countries joined together to cooperate with one another, is an excellent example of supranationalism,” the statement continued.
“Today, we are joining the EU, countries around the world, sports federations, cultural events and the people around the world who choose to stand up for freedom and unity,” the statement added.
This comes after Russia’s devastating attack on Ukraine last week which is being billed as the preamble to World War III.
LALELA MSWANE TO REPRESENT SOUTH AFRICA
Last year South Africa’s Thato Mosehle was crowned the second-runner up at the Miss Supranational pageant held in Poland. Namibia brought home the title to Africa with Chanique Rabe.
This year Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane will be representing South Africa at the pageant. Usually Miss South Africa and the runners up each represent the country at a different international pageant but this will be Lalela’s second international pageant.
The 24-year-old competed at Miss Universe in Israel in December despite the public’s outcry for her to drop out of the pageant. She was crowned the second runner-up with Miss India crowned Miss Universe.
So, why is Lalela competing in two international pageants? The Miss South Africa organisation says it is because the timelines of the pageants allows her to.
“Covid has forced many events to be postponed, and this has caused confusion around the different competitions and when they are set to be held. It is also not uncommon for the same representative to attend more than one international competition during their year of reign should the international pageant’s dates and timeline allow for it,” said Miss SA Organisation CEO Stepanie Weil in a statement.
